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GOOD NEWS
from the
Presbytery of Great Rivers
We are called to share Christ's love by partnering in service,
uniting in worship, and risking in ministry.
October 25, 2024
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Regional Lunches for Pastors
With gratitude for your faithful service in the Presbytery of Great Rivers, Lead Presbyter Ann Schwartz is hosting a series of regional lunches for pastors. If you are unable to attend the one nearest you, you are welcome to come to another one. Please RSVP by the dates below to aschwartz@greatriverspby.org or 309-683-6983.
October 29, 12:00: Biaggis, 3010 E Empire, Bloomington (RSVP date: Oct 24)
October 30, 12:30: Hearth Restaurant, 4604 N Prospect Rd, Peoria Heights (RSVP date: Oct 25)
November 4, 12:00: Landmark Café & Creperie, 62 S Seminary St, Galesburg (RSVP date: Oct 30)
November 12, 12:00: The Old Dairy, 210 S Lafayette St, Macomb (RSVP date: Nov 6)
November 19, 12:00: Bella Milano, 4525 Wabash Ave, Springfield (RSVP date: Nov 13)
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Thank You from Presbytery Leadership
Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback with the presbytery! Over the past several months we've been asking for your joys, struggles, and dreams for the presbytery's future, and you've responded. Presbytery members have completed a survey about presbytery assemblies, came to in-person listening sessions at five churches around the presbytery, and discussed ideas as presbytery committees. The Presbytery's Leadership Team, staff, and Governance Task Force just finished an all-day retreat discussing this feedback, which has been a valuable way to check in with each other. We'll have a report to share with more information at the November 9th Presbytery assembly. See you there!
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Learn More about the 2025 Youth Triennium
The Presbytery of Great Rivers wants to send a delegation to the 2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium, July 28-31, 2025, in Louisville. An informational zoom meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 6:30 pm for pastors and others who work with youth in our congregations. Register Here
We will provide details about next summer’s youth gathering in Louisville and the financial assistance being offered by the presbytery and the Synod of Lincoln Trails. We also need to identify a registrar who will coordinate our delegation and travel plans. Attached is a copy of the Registrar Responsibilities. This resource provides an overview of responsibilities for Triennium registrars. All “Registrar Kit” materials are now available on our website: www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/registrar-kit
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Clerk’s Corner
Building Bridges
On October 17, East Iowa had a Roadshow in Mt. Pleasant. We had the great privilege of touring the All God's Creatures Animal Shelter. This shelter started as a ministry to the community and to the local prison system help incarcerated persons feel purpose. The animal shelter has now moved into a new facility. It was such a joy to see how the progress is coming along! And, especially for me, it was very exciting to see kittens already starting to fill the rooms! Yes, I did hold them and get my picture taken with a kitten. No, I did not bring any home.
After touring All God's Creatures, we visited the Welcome Center in downtown Mt. Pleasant. Oscar was working at the Welcome Center and William was there as he came in for the morning English class. Oscar arrived in Mt. Pleasant in 2000 with $64 and 9 children. It was the good people of Mt. Pleasant who helped him gain the knowledge he needed to navigate through the systems of living in the United States and specifically, Iowa. 24 years later, Oscar continues to help others learn English, help translate paperwork (as Iowa is an English language only state - meaning that documents only have to be in English) and help with other needs.
The Welcome Center is integral to the lives of so many who come to Mt. Pleasant. But it goes even beyond this. Oscar has traveled to his home country many times to find ways to help. Where Oscar is from, there are two small towns that have nothing to do with each other because the small river that divides them was a "trash dump". Oscar has worked to gather the funds and the people to clean up this portion of the river and even build a bridge over the river (where there is a plaque dedicated to First Presbyterian of Mt. Pleasant Church because of their contributions). Because of this bridge, children from one town can now go over the bridge to the other town to attend school and families can safely travel back and forth. Both the Welcome Center and Al God's Creatures have been ministries blessed by First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant as they seek to live out how God is calling them to live.
In Great Rivers, we are about building bridges, too. We are building bridges with one another and with neighboring congregations. We are also building bridges with our neighboring Presbyteries. For example, we are working with other Presbyteries in offering programs such as Covenant Conversations, Anti-Racism Training, Elder Training, Boundary Training, and more. One of the things I love about being Presbyterian is our deep desire to be connectional and to know that we never do this work alone. How are you being connectional in your work today?
Our next scheduled Clerk’s Convo is November 14th at 11:00 am.
Here is the zoom link:
Elissa Bailey (she/her/hers) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Clerk of Session Meeting
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82477487297?pwd=ZXNIc29YRit3cTE2SGhsK0N5YzUrZz09
Meeting ID: 824 7748 7297
Passcode: 832216
DID YOU KNOW? CLERK'S EDITION
How often does your church need to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion according to the Book of Order? What about Session—how often do they need to meet?
The answer to both is: quarterly. Both the Sacrament of Holy Communion and a Session meeting, according to the Book of Order, should be taking place on a quarterly basis. This refers to breaking the calendar up into four sections and having communion and session at least once in each of those quarters.
Who can administer the Sacrament of Holy Communion or moderate a Session meeting? Ordinarily, this person is your called and installed pastor. If your congregation doesn't have a called and installed pastor, the Committee on Ministry will name a Communion celebrant and Session Moderator. If you have a pastor but the pastor is ill or going to be gone and you still wish to have your session meeting or communion, a Teaching Elder in good standing is able to administer communion or moderate session in such event. There used to be a time in the Book of Order when there were provisions for the pastor to ask a Ruling Elder to moderate the session. This does not exist in the Book of Order anymore. The moderator must be the pastor, a Teaching Elder in good standing, or someone the COM has authorized. There are also circumstances in which a congregation doesn't have a communion celebrant and does not have access to someone. If this is the case, please let the COM know. They are able to train ruling elders in the congregation to administer communion.
Rev. Elissa Bailey
Presbytery of Great Rivers Stated Clerk
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Update from the Board of Pensions
From Oct. 21 through Nov. 8, employees will enroll in benefits for 2025 by completing their Annual Enrollment in Benefits Connect.
Here are some updates and enhancements to the benefits we offer:
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Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, Spring Health will replace Cigna as the service provider of the Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), offering mental health care navigation in addition to EAP services.
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Medical Plan members will receive new medical ID cards for 2025 from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. They can continue to use their current Express Scripts prescription drug ID cards. (In 2025, new members will access their prescription drug ID cards virtually).
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The online care navigation platform from Quantum Health will relaunch October 2024. Medical Plan members will receive communications from Quantum Health about how to reregister for service through the new platform.
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Employers who offer flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs) through Further should look for information about a change in administration to HealthEquity, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Further was acquired by HealthEquity, and they will need to set up a new agreement. Members who participate in these accounts will receive information from HealthEquity about the change beginning in October.
We would like to reassure you that the Medical Plan is unchanged for 2025:
- Members in the PPO, EPO, and HDHP will continue to access care through the Blue Cross Blue Shield national network.
- Deductibles and copays will remain the same for 2025.
- Ministers who transition from Pastor’s Participation to Transitional Pastor’s Participation will have the same family medical coverage for 2025 that they have now.
Additionally, we wish to reiterate our comprehensive and absolute commitment to women’s health through this transition. We are, and always have been, committed to all aspects of women’s healthcare, including access to care and necessary drugs like Mifepristone as well as advanced reproductive services, such as IVF treatment.
To better understand the 2025 Benefits Plan, our partners throughout the Church may refer to our e-learning modules about the transition: The Faithful Decision-Making series and the 2025 Serving More, Serving Better series.
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From the Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee is hard a work filling the openings on our committees. We are nearing the end of this nominating season and have a few openings remaining (mostly one- and two-year terms). If you would like to volunteer, or would like to recommend a person for us to contact, please contact the appropriate Nominating Committee member. We look forward to hearing from you.
Admin Team – openings for teaching elders. Contact person: Julio Garcia, 309-325-3999.
CARE Committee – openings for ruling elders and teaching elders. Contact person: Gary Terpstra, 217-415-2090.
Committed on Ministry (COM) – openings for ruling elders and teaching elders. Contact person: Cheyanna Losey, 309-299-2790.
Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) – openings for ruling elders and teaching elders. Contact person: Cheyanna Losey, 309-299-4790.
Visioning Team: openings for ruling elders and teaching elders. Contact person: Diane Ludington, 319-795-8118.
Thank you for all the returned calls, emails, and texts. Thank you also for all your prayers. We have enjoyed our conversations.
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From the Visioning Team
Is your church building costing you more than you can afford?
Does it sit empty for large portions of the week? Or would you simply like to make more use of your space?
Are you looking for new ways to generate income for your church?
Are you wondering how to better connect your ministry with the needs and gifts of your neighborhood?
What if you could use your buildings and property to further your mission and ministry in your neighborhood and to generate new forms of income?
The Visioning Team is offering grants to the first five congregations that apply to participate in the Good Futures Accelerator course. (Cost to the church: $187; cost to the presbytery: $187. Each church will select a team of 3-7 people who spend, on average 40 hours over 9 months, exploring how to creatively use their church buildings and property to further their mission and build financial resilience.
For more information about the course, go to: https://www.rootedgood.org/good-futures. For more information about applying, email PGRVisioning@gmail.com.
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From Your Finance Team
Churches,
Planning ahead for 2025
Budgeting for 2025
At the Aug 24th assembly meeting it was announced that per capita will be increasing for 2025
2025 Per Capita Per Capita - $38.29 – this is due to General Assembly raising theirs - Synod & PGR remained the same
The annual Per Capita mailing went out to churches at the end of September – make sure you received it
If not please reach out – I’m happy to email or snail mail another copy
Board of Pensions – 2025
Employer agreements are now finalized – onto the next step of the process
Your employees should log in to complete Annual Enrollment in Benefits Connect Oct. 21-Nov. 8.
Staff will need to log in to Benefits Connect during this time to elect the benefits that their congregation has selected for them for next year. After the Annual Enrollment period ends, staff won’t have another chance to elect benefits or make changes for 2025 unless they have a qualifying life event.
Another important reminder for staff enrolled in the Medical Plan is that Friday, Nov. 8, is also the deadline to complete Call to Health. By answering the call, members can save money by reducing their medical deductibles for 2025 — and develop and maintain healthy habits in key areas of wholeness.
Thank you to all churches who have contributed towards Per Capita
We’ve had 49 churches pay their 2024 per capita in full!
Thank you to Adair, Aledo-Sunbeam, Alexis – Norwood, Athens, Bartonville, Bloomington- St Luke Union, Bushnell, Carlinville, Carrollton, Carthage, Chatham, Chenoa, Clayton, Clinton, Coal Valley, Divernon, East Moline, Edwards, Elmwood, Eureka, Fountain Green, Greenview, Ipava, Knoxville, Lincoln, Mason City, Media, Milan, Morton, Mt Sterling, New Windsor, Normal-First, Normal-New Covenant, Oneida, Orion, Pekin, Peoria – First Federated, Petersburg, Quincy, Reynolds, Rock Island, Springfield-First, Springfield – Korean, Stronghurst, Virginia-Sangamon Valley, Warsaw, Washington, Woodhull & Yates City!
2024 Per Capita is $37.25, an increase of $1.00
2024 Per Capita is based on your final membership numbers reported for 2022.
If you have a question about how much you still need to pay please email me at smcgrath@greatriverspby.org.
Mission Giving Percentage Update
At the April 20th assembly meeting it was voted to change the percentage of mission giving for the
General Assembly & Presbytery of Great Rivers – Synod was not changed it remains at 5%
Presbytery: Increased from 52.5% to 75%
General Assembly (Presbyterian Mission Agency): Decreased from 42.5% to 20%
Please be sure to submit a fully completed remittance form with any check you send to the presbytery.
This ensures that we apply your payment as you intend.
If sending from your bank online, you can email your remittance form to smcgrath@greatriverspby.org.
Please reach out to either of us with any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Sabrina McGrath - Bookkeeper
Bill Strawbridge – Treasurer
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Please click on the blocks below to follow the links: | |
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Resources for Pastors, Sessions,
and Congregations
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A Leader Formation Webinar for Ruling Elders and Deacons
Discovering Leadership: Called to Serve
Descubrir el liderazgo: Llamados a servir
리더십 탐색: 섬김으로의 부르심
Registration for the next webinar in the Leader Formation series, “Discovering Leadership: Called to Serve” is now open through October 30. The event will be held on Zoom November 7, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Eastern.
Our Presbyterian Constitution says, “some are called to ordered ministries, to fulfill particular functions.” (G-2.0101). What does it mean for ruling elders and deacons to be called to fulfill particular functions in the life of Christ’s Church? In this webinar we will explore that question by considering leadership capacities and gifts, and how those gifts are discovered. Leadership will be contemplated both from an individual outlook and a community dynamic, while probing the meaning of “sharing with others a deep life of worship, prayer, fellowship, and service.” (Book of Order, F-1.0032d.).
This event is free for participants and is funded through your per capita dollars. It does not come without cost, however. Knowing the diversity of language within the PC(USA), this webinar will be provided in several languages with interpretation based on requests made through the registration process. As a result, there is a registration deadline of October 30, 2024, in order to be able to have time to arrange for those services.
More Information and Registration HERE
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Regarding Ruling Elders
G-2.0104 of the Book of Order tells us that God gives ruling elders suitable gifts for the particular service to which they are called. But, how are ruling elders also using their gifts beyond the walls of the congregation—in the service to the larger church, as well as the world, within their community, at their workplaces, and at home? The eleventh in a set of articles that focuses on ruling elders as they serve has been posted for your reading and use.
Read "Where is the Place God is Leading You?"
in English, Español, and 한국어
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How Financially Healthy Is Your Church?
The Presbyterian Foundation is offering a web-based tool that will help your church get the full picture of your financial health. This tool asks you a series of questions in a simple format, producing a report with recommendations and resources that your church can use. And this tool is FREE.
You can see how your church is doing financially compared to other congregations your size, as well as measure against all Presbyterian churches nationally. Your answers are confidential.
You can download a worksheet to gather the data you’ll need to complete the survey here.
And when you’re ready, you can take the survey by clicking on the button below.
Questions? Email serving@presbyterianfoundation.org or reach out to your Ministry Relations Officer.
Take Assessment Now
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How Do We Measure Success in Ministry?
The traditional measurements of success are inadequate. But if the longstanding metrics of attendance, membership, and finances are insufficient markers, how do we recognize success in ministry?
Instead of complacency with the way we’ve always done it or ignoring the realities of numerical decline, we must commit ourselves to new ways of determining what successful ministry looks like.
NEXT Church has published a FREE field guide walking church leaders through the framework of Cultivated Ministry.
It is an invitation to embody practices that create the conditions for faithful intentions to be discerned, evaluated, and thrive.
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APCE Annual Event
Join faith formation leaders, pastors, and youth workers in Memphis, Tennessee, January 29-February 1, 2025 for the Association of Partners in Christian Education annual gathering. The theme is “Wrestling with God and Church: Toward a More Beloved Community.” Learn more and register here. Early bird registration runs through November 15.
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The Mission of the Church
In Ukraine, mothers and children are moving west to escape the violence of war. Many bear the scars of trauma; many arrive at the city of Izmail, on the Danube River, the border with Romania.
This Child Here is a Validated Ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), at work in Izmail, fostering hope and healing, shaping the feelings and memories of families displaced by this war. Suffering produces endurance, character, then hope, because God is at work in this community of love and support. One mother of two children said, "You didn't just give us what we needed. You did the impossible. You made us family.”
All funding for This Child Here comes from Presbyterian Churches, Presbyterians, and others interested in helping the people of Ukraine.
To learn more about This Child Here, visit our website at: thischildhere.org
To read more about This Child Here's ministry, visit: Presbyterian Mission Agency News
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PC(USA) News
The Unification Commission has announced that the Rev. Jihyun Oh has been named as Executive Director and Stated Clerk of the General Assembly for the interim unified agency. Oh, who was elected Stated Clerk at the 226th General Assembly (2024) of the PC(USA) last summer, begins her new role immediately. The commission’s unanimous vote Thursday means that the staff of both the Office of the General Assembly and Presbyterian Mission Agency report to Oh and that the role of PMA President and Executive Director has been phased out.
The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett has served as PMA’s President and Executive Director since 2018. Her final day will be October 31, 2024.
The Unification Commission was established by the 225th General Assembly (2022) to oversee and facilitate the unification of the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency into a single agency, revise the Organization for Mission to reflect this change, and work to align the entities, boards, committees, and constituent bodies of the General Assembly toward long-term faithfulness and financial sustainability of its mission within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
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Open Searches for Pastoral Leadership
Pastor, Yoked Ministry, New Windsor Presbyterian Church, Rio click
Music Ministry Director, United Presbyterian Church of Peoria click
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PGR Newsletter Schedule
Newsletters go out the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. Please send any articles for publication to StephanieSidotiVMA@gmail.com by Tuesdays at 5 pm.
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Presbytery of Great Rivers Virtual Office
Virtual Office Assistant Crystal Goforth 309-683-6980 Email: office@greatriverspby.org
Crystal works remotely from South Carolina (Eastern Time) and is available until 4 pm CST Monday thru Wednesday and Friday, and 1:45 pm EST on Thursdays. Please leave her a message & she will return your call.
Bookkeeper Sabrina McGrath 309-683-6981 Email: smcgrath@greatriverspby.org
Sabrina works from Peoria IL.
Her regular schedule is Tues & Thurs between 8am-3pm (Central Time)
Lead Presbyter Ann Schwartz 309-683-6983 Email: aschwartz@greatriverspby.org
Ann's Sabbath Day is Friday.
Stated Clerk Elissa Bailey 309-371-2511 Email: pastorebailey@gmail.com
My regular office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am - 3 pm.(Central Time) If you have an emergency, please call or text me at 309-371-2511.
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Get Connected!
Be sure to encourage your congregations, sessions, and even your church newsletter editorial staff and volunteers to sign up for our presbytery newsletter and follow our Facebook page so you don't miss out on what is going on in our community of churches!
Have you liked our "Presbytery of Great Rivers" Facebook page?
Subscribe to PGR’s YouTube channel to get notifications of our new videos (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7CXkkAsjR9Owi7gkXPtn8w. Share your congregation’s videos with us so we can let others know about your mission and ministry. If you have questions, need help, or want to share a video contact Cheyanna Losey, cheyannalosey@gmail.com or 309- 299-4790.
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